The present bachelor thesis deals with the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin and its central question "Who is the man behind the tale?" Based on a description of the characteristics of myths, folktales and fairy tales the various versions of Rumpelstiltskin in different countries are discussed and compared. Furthermore, the psychological aspects of Rumpelstiltskin are analyzed in detail.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Myths, Folktales and Fairy Tales
3. The Brothers Grimm
4. The Story about Rumpelstiltskin
4.1. The Plot
4.2. Analyses
4.3. Is the story orally transmitted?
4.4. Is the story traditional in form?
4.5. Is the story variational?
5. Versions of Rumpelstiltskin in different countries
6. Folktale Interpretation of Rumpelstiltskin
7. Psychological aspects
8. Summary
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis investigates the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin to answer the central research question: "Who is the man behind the tale?" It explores the origins, international variations, and deep-seated psychological implications of the story, analyzing it as both a piece of cultural folklore and a narrative reflection of societal values and anxieties.
- Evolution of Rumpelstiltskin from oral tradition to written form
- Comparative analysis of international variations (e.g., German, French, English, Danish)
- Psychoanalytic perspectives on the tale's hidden meanings
- Exploration of themes like identity, economic pressure, and the power of naming
- Evaluation of the character roles within the narrative structure
Excerpt from the Book
4.2. Analyses
In 1811 Wilhelm Grimm recorded the essential version of the fairy tale Dortchen Wild. Together with other oral traditional fairy tales this cluster of stories became the basis for the publication of the Grimm brothers’ collection Children’s and Household Tales in 1812. Most of the well-known characteristics of the fairy tale Rumpelstilzchen were published in the first edition of this collection.
The folktale Rumpelstiltskin is also called ATU 500 The name of the helper. This tale is a kind of a devils tale. The deal in Rumpelstiltskin is that the girl can keep her child if she knows the little man’s name within three days. Otherwise the little man will get her child. Rumpelstiltskin’s last words – “Some demon has told you that!” - illustrates this. ATU 500 means that the story is an ordinary folktale in the subcategory tales of magic. Tales of magic means that the story contains a lot of magic like spinning straw into gold.
The tale refers to legends about dwarves and giants. Psychologically Rumpelstiltskin is a narrative of sexual anxiety in which female must learn to overcome the fear of the phallus in the form of the little man. [6]
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the thesis, introducing the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale (ATU 500) and the research focus on its origins and interpretations.
2. Myths, Folktales and Fairy Tales: This section defines the genre boundaries and discusses the educational and psychological significance of fairy tales in human development.
3. The Brothers Grimm: This chapter provides a brief biographical and professional context of the Brothers Grimm and their role in documenting folklore.
4. The Story about Rumpelstiltskin: This comprehensive section details the plot, explores its analytical classification, evaluates its oral origins, and examines the variability of the story across different forms and versions.
5. Versions of Rumpelstiltskin in different countries: This chapter provides a cross-cultural comparison of the tale, showcasing different iterations and naming conventions found in France, Slovakia, England, Denmark, and Scotland.
6. Folktale Interpretation of Rumpelstiltskin: This chapter deconstructs the key elements and character archetypes of the story, offering academic perspectives on their deeper symbolic meanings.
7. Psychological aspects: This chapter presents psychoanalytic interpretations of the tale, focusing on themes of individuation, mother-child symbiosis, and the phallic symbolism associated with the antagonist.
8. Summary: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings regarding the cultural and psychological importance of the Rumpelstiltskin narrative.
Keywords
Rumpelstiltskin, Brothers Grimm, Folklore, ATU 500, Fairy Tales, Psychoanalysis, Spinning, Symbolism, Narrative Analysis, Cultural Variations, Identity, Oral Tradition, Mythology, Gender Roles, Naming
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this bachelor thesis?
The thesis focuses on the fairy tale "Rumpelstiltskin" (classified as ATU 500) to analyze its origins, international cultural variations, and deep psychological significance.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
The main themes include the power of language (naming), the evolution of oral traditions into written stories, psychological anxieties, gender dynamics in folklore, and the socio-economic reflections within the narrative.
What is the central research question?
The primary research question is "Who is the man behind the tale?", aiming to understand the identity and nature of the antagonist across different cultural versions.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The thesis utilizes a comparative literature approach combined with psychoanalytic theory to interpret the motifs and characters within the tale.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the history of the Brothers Grimm, the comparative analysis of international versions, a symbolic interpretation of the narrative elements, and psychoanalytic readings of the story's hidden meanings.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Rumpelstiltskin, Folklore, Psychoanalysis, Narrative Analysis, Oral Tradition, and Symbolism.
How does the author characterize the role of the miller's daughter?
The author discusses her as a figure navigating patriarchal structures, highlighting her struggle to survive and her eventually gaining power through the act of naming the helper.
What is the significance of the "name" in the story?
The name represents the key to power and control; discovering the helper's name allows the protagonist to break her contract and re-establish agency over her own child and life.
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- BA Elisabeth Grasi (Autor:in), 2014, Rumpelstiltskin and the man behind the tale, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/493844
